130+ Awesome Hobbies for Nurses

Hobbies for nurses aren’t just a fun way to pass the time — they’re also essential for managing stress and recharging after long, demanding shifts. Research shows that enjoyable leisure activities are linked to lower levels of depression, reduced stress hormones like cortisol, healthier blood pressure and body weight, and even better overall physical functioning. So whether you prefer something creative, active, or relaxing, the right hobby could be exactly what you need to feel your best in and outside of scrubs.

Wondering how to unwind after work as a nurse? Whether you’d love more peace, better fitness, or a spark of creativity, this article features over 130 hobby ideas for nurses dedicated to building a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Hobbies for Nurses on Days Off: 5 Categories

If your life were a cake, which ingredient would be missing to make it truly satisfying? Is it peace and relaxation, or perhaps more social interaction? To help you find activities that match your goals and interests, we’ve grouped our recommended hobbies into five categories:

• Mindfulness and relaxation: Craving tranquil time? Activities in this category are perfect for those seeking to bring more peace and calm into their life.
• Physical activity and fitness: Want to get in shape or simply build resilience? These activities are great for boosting energy and improving health.
• Creativity and arts: Looking for ways to express yourself and discover new talents? Activities in this category can help you turn your ideas and feelings into something tangible and enjoyable.
• Social and community: Want more social interaction? Activities in this category are great for connecting with others, building friendships, and contributing to your community.
• Learning and personal growth: Interested in exploring new interests? These activities stimulate your mind and keep your curiosity alive.

130+ Hobbies for Nurses by Category

1. Mindfulness and Relaxation

If your days off are all about slowing down and recharging, self-care activities like mindfulness and relaxation can be game-changers. These techniques help calm your mind, reduce stress, and bring a sense of inner peace that may last even after the activity is over.

Meditation

Meditation is a practice that helps you focus your mind, calm your thoughts, and bring awareness to the present moment. It can be a great hobby idea for nurses who want to reduce stress and cultivate a sense of inner peace. Meditation doesn’t require special equipment, and even several minutes a day can make a noticeable difference in how you feel over time.

Wondering where to start? While there are many different types of meditations, here are some ideas for you to explore:

• Zazen: Rooted in Zen Buddhism, Zazen emphasizes “just sitting” with awareness. Practitioners focus on posture and breath, cultivating presence and clarity.
• Yoga nidra: A guided meditation practice that induces deep relaxation by bringing awareness to various parts of the body.
• Loving-kindness meditation: This practice involves cultivating compassion and goodwill towards oneself and others, fostering emotional warmth and empathy.
• Transcendental meditation: This practice involves silently repeating a specific mantra or phrase, promoting deep rest and focus.
• Kundalini yoga meditations: Focused on awakening energy through breath, movement, and chanting.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness practices are a fantastic category of hobbies for nursing students and experienced professionals, helping calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and stay focused in the moment. From gentle breathing exercises to guided imagery, these activities provide a peaceful escape so necessary for your well-being.

Looking for relaxing hobbies for nurses? Here are some examples of mindfulness practice you may be interested in checking out:

• Yoga: Combines gentle stretches, breath control, and meditation to improve flexibility, reduce tension, and promote mental clarity.
• Guided visualization: Involves imagining peaceful scenes or scenarios, aiding in relaxation and stress reduction.
• Breathwork: Focused breathing exercises, such as deep diaphragmatic breathing or the Wim Hof method, help soothe the nervous system.
• Tai chi: A gentle martial art combining slow, flowing movements with mindful breathing, improving balance, flexibility, and relaxation.
• Qigong: Similar to tai chi, this practice uses coordinated movements, breathing, and meditation to cultivate energy and inner calm.
• Progressive muscle relaxation: A technique where you flex and release muscles systematically to recognize and release tension throughout the body.

Tranquil Experiences

These activities focus on creating calm, restorative moments that nurture your mind and body. They’re ideal for decompressing after long shifts and reconnecting with yourself.

• Sound healing: Listening to calming sounds, music, or singing bowls can promote relaxation, lower stress, and enhance mindfulness.
• Nature walks: Walking in natural surroundings while paying attention to sights, sounds, and smells encourages presence and reduces tension.
• Relaxing baths: Warm baths, especially with soothing scents or Epsom salts, can ease muscle tension and create a mindful, restorative experience.
• Steam rooms: Time in a sauna or spa can help relax muscles, improve circulation, and create a peaceful, rejuvenating environment for mind and body.
• Sensory deprivation tanks: Also known as float chambers, these devices allow you to float in warm, buoyant water in a quiet, dark environment, helping to deeply relax the body.

2. Physical Activity and Fitness

Physical activity is one of the best ways for nurses to recharge on their days off. Moving your body not only strengthens muscles and improves cardiovascular health but also releases endorphins, helping reduce stress and boost your mood. Whether you prefer social sports, expressive movement, or targeted fitness routines, there’s a type of physical activity to suit your energy and goals.

Sports and Team Activities

Team activities are fun, social ways to stay active. They combine exercise with camaraderie, friendly competition, and plenty of laughs, making it easy to forget the stress of work while having fun. Whether it’s hitting the court or playing pick-up games with friends, these hobbies for nurses keep you moving, social, and energized.

• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Soccer
• Football
• Softball
• Baseball
• Pickleball
• Lacrosse
• Badminton

Dance and Movement Classes

Dance combines fitness with rhythm, coordination, and creativity. It’s a great way to get your heart pumping while expressing yourself and having fun. Here are some examples of dance styles you can explore:

• Zumba
• Salsa
• Hip-hop
• Ballet
• Contemporary dance
• Ballroom

Physical Fitness

If you’re looking to boost your mood and energy levels, physical fitness activities are a fantastic choice. Engaging in regular exercise not only strengthens your body but also stimulates the release of serotonin — a neurotransmitter known for its feel-good effect.

Whether you’re into cardio, strength training, or flexibility exercises, incorporating physical activity into your routine can leave you feeling calmer, stronger, and more confident both on and off the clock.

• Gym workouts
• Running
• Cycling
• Swimming
• HIIT workouts
• Pilates

Nature and Active Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities combine movement, adventure, and a healthy dose of vitamin D, helping to boost your mood, reduce stress, and leave you feeling revitalized. Whether it’s strolling through a local park, paddling on a calm lake, or exploring new terrain on a bike, these nurse hobbies let you stay active while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

• Hiking
• Trail running
• Kayaking or canoeing
• Paddleboarding
• Rock climbing
• Mountain biking
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowboarding

3. Creativity and Arts

For nurses who want to express themselves, explore new talents, or simply have fun, creative hobbies offer a perfect outlet. Engaging in creative activities not only sparks joy but can also reduce stress, improve focus, and provide a sense of accomplishment. Whether you enjoy hands-on crafts, music, or artistic expression, there’s something here for everyone.

Visual Arts

If you love turning ideas into something tangible, visual arts hobbies are a wonderful way to unleash your creativity. From painting vivid landscapes to sculpting unique shapes, these hobbies for nurses let you express emotions, experiment with color and form, and create something that’s truly your own.

• Painting
• Drawing or sketching
• Photography
• Digital art or graphic design
• Sculpting or pottery

Music and Performing Arts

For nurses who spend long hours caring for others, music and performing arts offer a great way to reconnect with themselves while expressing creativity. Whether it’s strumming a guitar or writing songs, these activities help channel difficult experiences, like chronic burnout and compassion fatigue, into something tangible and meaningful.

• Playing a musical instrument
• Singing or joining a choir
• Dance performance
• Acting classes
• Karaoke
• Comedy improvisation classes

Crafts and DIY Projects

There’s something magical about turning simple materials into something beautiful and useful. Crafts and DIY hobbies for nurses give you the freedom to experiment, play, and see your creativity take shape — perfect for nurses looking for a hands-on escape from the daily grind.

• Knitting
• Crocheting
• Sewing
• Embroidery
• Jewelry making
• Woodworking
• DIY home decor

4. Social and Community

For nurses seeking authentic connection and meaningful interactions, social hobbies — like attending a book club or joining a meetup group — offer a great opportunity to meet new people, build friendships, and enjoy shared experiences. Such activities not only make great hobbies for nurses in their 20s, but can also help nurses of all ages feel more connected to their community outside of work.

Clubs and Groups

Joining organized groups or clubs is a great way to meet people who share your interests while enjoying structured activities. These hobbies create a built-in community where you can learn, socialize, and connect — great for nurses looking to balance the demands of work with meaningful social interaction.

• Book clubs
• Gardening clubs
• Craft or DIY groups
• Running or cycling clubs
• Local meetup groups

Volunteer Work and Community Service

Did you know that giving back to your community can be just as fun as it is rewarding? Engaging in these activities can lift your spirits, spark joy, and create lasting memories, all while making a real difference in the lives of others.

• Food banks or soup kitchens
• Animal shelters or rescue organizations
• Environmental clean-up projects
• Youth mentorship programs

Outings and Events

Sometimes the best hobby for nurses is one that lets you experience something new with others. Outings and events offer a mix of fun, adventure, and social interaction, giving nurses the chance to create lasting memories to carry with them through demanding shifts.

• Concerts
• Art shows
• Game nights with friends
• Trivia or pub quiz events
• Potlucks
• Themed dinner parties
• Dance socials
• Community workshops
• Local festivals
• Cultural events

5. Learning and Personal Growth

Discovering something new can be a joyful experience. These activities challenge your mind, ignite curiosity, and leave you with a satisfying sense of personal achievement — without feeling like just another item on a to-do list.

Language and Culture

Learning a new language or studying different cultures can be a fun way to broaden your horizons. You can even mix in some social time — like joining a meetup to practice your new skills with native speakers — so you’re learning something new and meeting someone new at the same time.

• Learning a new language through apps or classes
• Studying foreign cultures, cuisine, or traditions
• Watching international films or reading literature
• Cooking traditional dishes from different countries

Creative Learning

If you enjoy hands-on projects and thinking outside the box, creative learning hobbies are a great way to challenge yourself. From mastering design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, to learning the basics of website building with platforms like WordPress, creative learning hobbies offer endless ways to explore new skills and ideas — and who knows, maybe even give your nursing resume a little boost along the way.

• Animation and motion graphics
• Video game design or coding simple games
• 3D modeling and printing
• Music production or digital audio editing
• Stop-motion or short film creation
• Calligraphy or hand lettering
• Photography techniques or photo editing
• Creative writing or storytelling
• Puzzle-solving or brain teasers

Mind and Curiosity

If you love discovering new ideas, this category of activities lets you explore fascinating topics, learn quirky facts, and dive into subjects you’ve always wondered about. Whether it’s delving into history, unlocking the mysteries of the night sky, or learning a new skill just for fun, mind-stimulating hobbies for nurses turn downtime into a playful adventure for your brain.

• History
• Mythology
• Quantum physics
• Astronomy or stargazing
• Learning magic tricks or mentalism
• Cryptography
• Philosophy
• Religious studies or theology
• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Nursing theory

Want to Enjoy Your Nursing Job?

Just as hobbies for nurses help bring balance and joy to your days off, finding the right job can make your work life more fulfilling, too. IntelyCare connects you with nursing roles that match your ambitions and lifestyle — so you can love what you do every day.